3-day Weekends are the BEST!!

     Have you ever noticed that when you are a 'working human' (and I'm including all of you who either work from home or stay home and raise your children/grandchildren---that's definitely WORK!!!!)  the thought of a 3-day weekend or any weekend for that matter, is like an early morning spring shower, so refreshing and renewing!  Ok, so that's a little more 'poetic' then I normally get, but you get the message.  In other words, '3-day weekends are da bomb'!!!

     I've noticed lately that I seem to be living more and more for the upcoming weekend, only to have it slip quickly through my fingers as I fill each day with ALL the things I can't/don't get done during the week.  As Sunday evening rolls around, I find myself tired, frustrated and wondering why I didn't take some time to just enjoy life, family and my Heavenly Creator!!

     Well, I decided a few months ago to change all the above....except the part about enjoying myself.  I made a declaration that Sundays were 'off limits' to all of the following:  work/grocery shopping/work/cooking/work, etc.  You get my drift....no WORK, at least not anything other than what I really wanted to do.  We like church on Saturday evenings so that's not a problem and we often watch a live service on our computers on Sunday mornings as we eat our breakfast.  It helps to set the tone for the day.

     I would like to tell you that it has gone smoothly but as often happens when we make a declaration of independence, it has not.  But I've had a few Sundays where I NEVER got out of my pajama's and only cooked what I could put in the microwave.  Those Sundays were devine!!  And honestly the rest have been less hectic than the ones before my 'pronoucement of lacguor'. 

     So how did I spend my last 3-day weekend you ask?  MOSTLY in my pajamas and I tried not to fill the rest of the time with anything other than family, friends and my loving Lord.  It was devine!!

     Here are a few pictures I took of my great weekend:

 

Me practicing my 'selfies'

Time for a little frivolity!

Yes, I'm in the bathroom taking my picture!!! 

My Brayden stomping on 4th of July poppers

My mom, Brayden and his mom, my daughter Brittany

 

 

Thanks for reading my blog and I hope you will leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you!!

 

God Bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life

Sunday Morning Quiet Time

     It's VERY early here at my home and even after the last two days of high energy craziness, I find myself awake and blogging to YOU!!  This seems to be happening alot lately (not the blogging part--my bad, I know I need to blog more!) I wake up before my alarm goes off and lay in my bed trying to solve the problems of the world---well, at least those in my own life!

   What thoughts are going through my head at 4:30am in the morning?-----"remember to pay the insurance bill today, it was due yesterday';     'what am I going to feed Brayden (my grandson and best baby in the WORLD) for breakfast this morning, I don't have any eggs';     'I need to sort through all the vintage clothes I just bought on Friday and get them ready to post in my new internet shop---www.mykitschycloset.etsy.com';     'can I stay in my pajama's all morning or will I have to get dressed at some point--I don't want to get dressed or go anywhere today!';  and my all-time favorite----'can I go back to sleep or should I just get up and get on with life?!?'  What---you were expecting me to have REALLY deep, earth-shattering thoughts?  Nah, not at 4:30am in the morning!!!!

   But seriously, I have found myself thinking more and more about my life, past, present and future, and I have been concerned with what I've found.  I think all this is probably brought on because I will be having a "BIG" birthday in a few months----the big 6-0!!!  Just typing it makes me shutter-uugghhh!!   Anyway, I've started to wonder what my life would have been like if I had made 'different' decisions in my younger days.  Maybe not have married so young or started a family so soon.  Perhaps if I had stayed in college and become a graphic designer as I had planned.  Or perhaps me and my best friend at that time, Jackie, would have traveled to foreign lands to absorb all we could of their artist cultures.  Or even have done some missionary work here in the states or overseas--perhaps.  But dwelling on 'what could have been' does no one any good!

     And then I begin to see the faces of my children, I see then as the little ones they once were and remember the precious adults they have become.  I remember all the pain and illness my mom has gone through the past few years and I cherish every moment I still have with her.  I feel the warm breathe of my grandson Brayden as he falls asleep on my shoulder, his sweet body cuddled in my arms, and I realize........I am blessed.

   There is a wonderful scripture in Psalms 90--"Teach us to make the most of our time....and make our efforts successful.  Yes, make our efforts successful!" (NLT)  I believe that's what everyone wants in life, no matter your religion, no matter your nationality, no matter your race, political leanings or life-preferences.  We all just want to matter, to have our efforts in life be successful!!

     And although success can be measured differently by different standards, in my own eyes I am successful!  Was this the life I planned for myself so many years ago--definitely NOT!!  But is this the life, with all it's struggles and hardships and pains, that is making me the person God intended me to be----absolutely!!

     And so this early morning 'thought session' becomes a time to thank my Heavenly Father for all that I have and all that I will become.  I'm not were I need to be but I'm on my way, and that's ok!!  And so I leave you with a few pictures to enjoy and I pray you are blessed as I have been blessed.......

 

Brayden showing me his banana--cheeky fellow!!

 

My son Jonathan and I at the beach

 

Brayden and I visiting my mom at the nursing home

My daughter Brittany (Brayden's mom) and momma

My grandson Tyler age 7 (Jonathan's son) who lives in Michigan--we haven't seen him since he was 3 yrs old

 

 

 

    I hear Brayden stirring and must fix breakfast---God Bless all and any who read this!!

Pat, A Remade Life
 
 

Easter Brayden!!

     When you have a 2 yr old running around in your life, there are good days and there are great days.  Easter this year was a great day!  Brayden wasn't old enough to understand the meaning of 'Resurrection Sunday' (that will come soon) but he was definitely old enough to understand how to look for easter eggs and to enjoy the goodies they hold within!!
     It was a beautiful day here in Texas, weather was mild and the air was sweet.  We enjoyed a wonderful service at church and then just kicked back and relaxed till after lunch---that's when the hunt began!!
     Brayden looked like a pro as he searched to and fro for those much coveted easter eggs.  And he found them all with very little prompting!!
     Here are a few pictures of our wonderful day:

And the hunt begins!!

Look how many I found!

Is this all?

What kinda bunny is this?!

Grandma showing how it's done!

     I tried to post more pictures but was having trouble downloading them--will try again later.

Hope everyone's Easter was full of blessings and good stuff!  I'll be posting pictures soon of my 'soon to open' vintage/retro clothing webstore!!

God Bless all and any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life

We moved our shop----again!!!!

Ok, so I know it looks like we are uhmmm, wishy-washy when it comes to our shop but we really aren't!  We really know what we are doing---sometimes.

I said all that to say, we have moved our shop in Winnie--AGAIN!  The little house we moved to only a few short months ago just wasn't working out.  It was TOO small (yes, our first shop was TOO big) and the porch was just un-usable for us.  On top of all that, the customer traffic wasn't very good.  And so, we asked to move again, whenever something came available.  Little did I realize it would happen so fast!!

I received a call within 2-days of the March show saying there was an opening if we wanted it.  And boy did we want it!!  It's larger than the little house but not as big as our first shop--1/2 it's size.  AND we have 3-covered porches--lots more space and even better traffic!!

So once again we had to move--quickly!!  And this time I had to do most of it myself.  My son was working and couldn't help much so every weekend I went to Winnie and moved, moved, MOVED again, all the displays, all the decorations, all the items for sale.  Don't mean to sound whiny but it was really hard work and I'm glad to be finished----and I have sworn to never, ever, ever move again!!

Here are a few pictures of our shop 'in progress':

My son got this clothing rack for me from his job--for FREE!!

Nice corner of the shop--we also have some wonderful windows!

This is one side of my covered porch

I'm working on making part of the shop a boutique for vintage clothing & accessories

I had to sneak in a picture of my wonderful grandson who is now 2!!

This is our 'counter'--we can sit behind it.  This is also what you see from the front door

So that's it for now.  I'll keep you updated on how the shop is looking--we are really excited about having this new opportunity to share God's blessings----and hopefully sell a few things too!!

God Bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life

My Wonderful Mom

      It's been a while since I've posted pictures of my wonderful mom.  I took a day off work this past Friday and went to spend some time with her at the nursing home.  She was in a fine mood!!  It was 'Go Texan" day (for those who don't live in Texas, we have a 'Go Texan' day during rodeo season and everyone dresses up in their best western attire!)  and the residences were dressed in cute cowboy hats and bandannas.  Mom was soooooo cute in her green cowgirl hat and bandanna so I caught her with my phone camera and thought I would share the pictures with you.  She is doing very well right now, although she is still wheelchair bound and has been since she broke her leg again this past October.  She has had so many problems/issues over the past 5yrs.--numerous surgeries, 2- broken legs, breast cancer and so much more.  She is my hero and I love her very much.

     I have, of course, included pictures of my little 'pooterman'!!  He will be 2-yrs old this Wednesday and I must say I love every minute of every day since he came into my life--yes, even the smelly diapers and the temper tantrums (well, maybe NOT the smelly diapers so much!).  He is the love of my life and I thank God without ceasing for making me his 'Gigi'.

     God is good and has blessed me so much and so many good things are coming--I'll share with you as things happen!!

 God Bless all and any who read this!
Pat, A Remade Life
be sure to 'like' us on facebook - 'A Remade Life Emporium'

'Aren't I cute?!?'

Momma having fun

Brayden showing off his '6-pack'!!

Me with an attitude!!

Brayden loves his food!

Working hard in the back yard!

My beautiful mom!

Good time at Lake Houston Trade Days....and Brayden!

This past Saturday was the Lake Houston Trade Days and Fall Festival.  It was a good show with lots and lots of customers and friends coming out to enjoy the shopping, live music and good food!

A wonderful band called the "Fab 5" Beatle impersonators played---they are very, very good and very popular here and all about.  There was a bungee-jump, a human-hamster ball and much, much more.

It was truly great fun, a time to sell and a time to visit with good friends, customers and fellow vendors.  Here are some pictures of my booth:

It's amazing how much you can fit into a 10' x 20' booth!  And of course, I had to add a picture of my wonderful grandson, Brayden, in his dragon costume!!  He and his mom, my daughter Brittany, came out to enjoy all the festivities.

Our next show will be in two weeks and then another one two weeks after that---November will be a very busy month for us!!  And of course, the Thanksgiving holiday.  We are thinking of going to Dallas to spend the holiday with my oldest daughter, Jennifer.  Mainly it will be a little R & R for me!!

Well, that's it for now, must go and work on items for my etsy shop and for ebay.  More on that later!

God Bless all and any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life

Best Customers in the World!!

This past weekend was the Winnie Trade Days show and what a good show it was!  Although we didn't make as much money as we did last month we did ok-- but the real joy came in meeting some of the greatest customers in the world!!

I had the great pleasure of meeting many new customers as well as seeing some long-time returning ones. What fun it was to visiting with people, make new friends and 'share' the love of God with so many!!  I felt truly blessed to meet each and every one that came into my shop.

There was the lovely mom-in-law and daughter-in-law who came in with the cutest of babies (don't worry Brayden, grandma still loves you the best!).   The young ladies husband was in the military and had been deployed.  She was part of a military group that was raising money for the troops by creating a calendar of military wives dressed in vintage clothing---which just happens to be one of my specialties.  We talked and shared thoughts about vintage clothing, she checked out all the different vintage styles I had and even purchased some.  I gave her my contact info and hope we will stay in touch with each other.

Then there was the young girl (17 yrs old) who came in with her mom to look for and buy vintage clothing, not for any party or event but just because she LOVES vintage clothing!!  It just thrills my heart to see young people enjoying great things from the past.  And her mom was the best--she bought her daughter a complete outfit, dress and matching hat.  This young lady is a definite individual, one who knows who she is and not likely to fall into the 'status quo'!

And remember my little buddy Zack, the one who won the American Pickers youth contest, a $10,000 scholarship and a trip to the Smithsonian?  Well, my little buddy ain't so little anymore!!  I saw him walking down the hall and almost didn't recognize him!!  He's grown a foot and it now taller than me and has 'leaned-down' and lost his baby fat.  And even though he's a young teenager, he stopped to visit and we had a good hugging session!!  That kid definitely has a place in my heart!!

Well, that's pretty much how our weekend went.  We only had one minor issue that was our 'fly in the ointment'.  I was cleaning off one of our glass shelf units when one of the shelves collapsed and all the glassware on that shelf broke.  But I count my blessings cause I could have been hurt/cut my the flying glass however, I came away without a scratch!  Thank you Lord for your protecting hand!

So, here are a few pictures for you to enjoy, unfortunately none of our customers--it was just too busy to stop to take pictures.

My 'little' buddy Zack in a 'before' picture---he's NOT this little now!!

The top shelf is the one that collasped--pretty much everything on it broke

And of course, the most beautiful baby in the world, my Brayden!

I had to include this pic of Brayden in NOT one of his finer moments--that's not chocolate he's covered in--ughhh!

Here is he all cleaned up and happy again

He's full of McNuggets, french fries and a smoothie--not his usual diet but ok once in a while

And that's it for now, thanks for stopping by and taking a peepie-poo (sorry, didn't mean to mention 'poo' again!).  God Bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life

Winnie Trade Days this weekend!!

This weekend brings another Winnie Trade Days and I have high hopes for this show!  Last months show was the best one we've ever had and I'm hoping this one will be equally good or even better!!  We have added lots of good stuff I found at an estate sale as well as the used clothing I mentioned in a previous post.  We enlarged my son's area since his sales have more than doubled (he just grins from ear to ear when I tell anyone this!) and we even redesigned the linen section.

We are frantically trying to get everything we can priced and ready to go for this show--please pray that we have the strength and endurance to make it work!!!

I of course included a picture of my wonderful grandson, Brayden, who is now 18 months old!!  He is such a blessing to me.

I have been posting lots of good, vintage items in my etsy shop so please be sure to go to my link and check it out.  I am also still working on my 'secret' project that I really hope to get up and running before Christmas---we'll see, but it's very slow going right now!

Well, that's it for now, I'll update you on how the show goes---again, please pray we do well, but mainly that we are able to be a blessing to someone this weekend!!

God Bless All and Any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life